Spurs 4-3 Wycombe: My thoughts on Saturdays exhilarating cup tie

83 minutes into Saturdays FA cup fourth round tie against Wycombe at the Lane, the score was two a piece. A second string Spurs side were having a terrible afternoon against the league 2 side, despite drawing level after going two goals down in the first half, Pochettino’s side were shapeless and lacking in direction. After making all three substitutes, Spurs were dealt a blow when Kieran Trippier limped off injured late on. And Gareth Ainsworth’s fearless Wycombe side didn’t alter their approach, the chairboys exposed us on the right wing as Myles Weston surged past Eric Dier before putting in an inch perfect cross which veteran striker Gary Thompson headed into the goal. At this point I was utterly distraught, I couldn’t comprehend the fact that we were only seven minutes away from crashing out of this most special of cups in our final season at the Lane. Of course we didn’t, we fought back to record a dramatic late victory to send the lane into a scene of euphoria, with Pochettino showing great relief at the touch line on the final whistle. The match was emotionally exhausting for both sets of fans, but the elation at the final whistle was something quite special, it really emphasised how important the FA Cup is to the Spurs supporters.

Son’s dramatic late winner in the 97th minute of stoppage time was superb, Son played a one two with Janssen before firing a ferocious effort from inside the box. Son’s powerful effort came off the feet of Wycombe’s Jacobsen before hitting the back of the net. However, I felt bad for Wycombe they were robbed by our premier league stars, the chairboys deserved a replay. We got lucky in the end but our winning mentality got us through the match, we were disappointing. If Pochettino decides to field his strongest eleven in the next rounds, then our name may well be on the cup! COYS

 
My man of the match: Son was by far the best player on the pitch, his tremendous energy and intent going forward was rewarded with two valuable goals. We have a lot to thank him for after Saturdays thriller. Son’s brace on Saturday takes his tally to 11 goals this season.

Some thoughts on Saturdays dramatic 2-2 draw with Man City:
“Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.” (Danny Blanchflower)

 
What an emotionally exhausting match it was on Saturday evening in Manchester, as Spurs fought back from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw against Man City. It was a game in which we were second best for the most part, we were off our usual pace, lacking in intensity and looked uncomfortable on the ball. However, Pochettino’s side showed resilience as well as a fighting spirit, to gain a valuable point that keeps us in the title race ahead of two winnable league fixtures, against Sunderland and Middlesbrough respectively. We were torn to shreds by Pep Guardiola’s side for a large chunk of the game, it was always a case of when, not if city would take the lead. City’s dominance was rewarded early in the second half, when they scored two goals in the space of five minutes, both goals coming as a result of two unfortunate errors from goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris. We were being kept out of the game by a very good side, but not a side that we couldn’t defeat. Despite our poor performance we showed just how strong a side we really are, as Dele Alli headed the ball into the back of the net on the hour mark, and Spurs were inspired. We battled out the last half an hour showing great determination and courage, we were still second best. However, we had a go, we were fearless going forward. The introduction of Son provided much needed pace down the flanks, and 13 minutes from time Son scored what would eventually be the equaliser.

We had been second best and I’m not sure many would have backed us to get back into the game after being 2-0 down, but we did it! We sit third in the table after wins from Arsenal and Chelsea extended the gap at the top of the table. The truth of the matter is, that Man City deserved to the win the game, they dominated possession and had seven shots on goal to our two. Yesterday’s draw was a bonus point, I wonder if the match will be yet another turning point in our season and with winnable fixtures ahead, that point could prove to be imperative come the end of the season. I’m hoping Alderweireld’s injury is nothing to worry about, the Belgian centre back was immense whilst he was on the field, he saved us from being further behind. It is clear that Wimmer struggled yesterday, being taken off at half time. Wimmer has been lacking in game time but I’m hopeful that he will become sharper in the coming games. Finally, I’ve got to mention the impact that Son had on yesterday’s game, his pace and desire to go forward was clear to see. His composed finish from inside the penalty area was the reason we came back with a point. This team have a real hunger for success, despite salvaging a dramatic point the players were downbeat, they wanted to win! COYS

My man of the match: For me it has to be Danny Rose. Rose put his body on the line as he made some vital interceptions, including a world class challenge on Raheem Sterling in the Tottenham penalty area. As courageous as ever, Rose took a right clattering on many an occasion, his power and skill going to show just how good of a player he is.
One of the highlights of playing Man City away, their wonderful tunnel cam: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc2DDKQImBY

Some thoughts on Saturdays spectacular win over West Brom:

Saturdays victory over West Brom was a sight to behold, Spurs tore a normally structured West Brom side to shreds, playing some of the finest football that the Lane has seen in years. It was an absolute privilege to be at the Lane on Saturday, I witnessed some of the best football I have ever seen down the Lane. The first 45 minutes of football was breathtaking, Spurs were flawless, the intensity of their play and the way in which they moved the ball around, was magical. We were two up within 25 minutes courtesy of goals from Harry Kane and an own goal from Gareth McAuley, the minute Eriksen’s heavily deflected effort hit the back of the net, was the exact moment that we knew we had deflated West Brom, and that the game was effectively settled. After putting in a superb first half performance where we led by two goal to nil, the team came out for the second half, and did not rest on their laurels. Spurs reduced their intensity in the second half, but they didn’t once lose their concentration, as Kane grabbed two goals late on to get his third league hat-trick in a Spurs shirt. Kane’s third goal was special, Alli lofted a beautiful pass inside the area, which went over the defender and in front of Kane, who calmly volleyed the ball home with a precise finish, a truly spectacular goal worth rewatching, time and time again!

We now sit in second place in the table, seven points behind league leaders Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino’s side are maturing and showing many positive signs that will be exciting the Spurs supporters ahead of such a crucial part of the season. If I were to individually rate our players performances from Saturdays match then I would award every single player a rating of 10, so was the flawlessness of the performance that I could actually sit in my seat and relax and appreciate the performance as if it were a piece of cinema. Harry Kane was fantastic against the Baggies, he was so clinical and alert, it was without doubt one of his most complete performances of the season. However, the player who was my man of the match was Christian Eriksen. I thought that Eriksen was outstanding and that he was the most influential player on the field in my eyes. Eriksen dazzled at the Lane, his movement and vision was something else, the Denmark international registered two assists against West Brom, taking his league total for the season, up to 8. Moussa Dembele also played exceptionally the Belgian, was an engine in the midfield he simply overwhelmed the Baggies in the centre of the park. I could go on and on about the fantastic individual performances that were seen on Saturday. The only downside on Saturday, was the potentially serious ankle injury that Jan Vertonghen suffered, I’m hoping it’s not as worse as first feared though, his been immense this season.

The question that will be popping up now in the media, will be can Spurs challenge for the league? Well, Mauricio Pochettino certainly thinks so! “We have more belief now and we are much better than last season. We have nine more points than we had at at this stage of last season [after 21 games]”. After Manchester City’s 4-0 defeat to Everton on Sunday, Pochettino’s side will be relishing the opportunity to do the double over Guardiola’s side. Talk of us winning the title may be too premature, but personally I believe that we have a good chance to silence the doubters. Bring on Saturday! COYS